In an effort to delay tobacco use among young adults, public health advocates are proposing a new law that would raise the legal tobacco purchase age from 18 to 21. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is behind the new proposal, will be joined today by City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley and public health advocates to discuss the new legislation.

Opponents of the ban believe that 18 year-olds should be given the freedom to make their own decisions about smoking. Texas’ recent attempt to change the legal age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21 failed, but the legal was raised one year to 19. California is another state attempting to raise the age to 21.